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Genesis 7:22

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 7:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, of all that was on the dry land, died.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, of all that was on the dry land, died.
Genesis 7:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high mountains that were under the whole heaven were covered.
20Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.
21And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both birds, and cattle, and beasts, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:
22all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, of all that was on the dry land, died.
23And every living thing was destroyed that was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and creeping things, and birds of the heavens; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only was left, and they that were with him in the ark.
24And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days.
← Genesis 7:21Genesis 7:23 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“All in whose nostrils [was] the breath of life, etc.] Whether of fowls, beast, cattle, or creeping things: of all that was in the dry land, died; by which description fishes were excepted, since they breathe not, having no lungs, and are not on the dry land, where they cannot live, but in the waters. Some pretend it to be the opinion of some Jewish writers, that the fishes did die, the waters being made hot, and scalded them; but this fable I have not met with.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The prevalence of the waters. The forty days are now completed. And at the end of this period the ark had been afloat for a long time. It was drifted on the waters in the direction in which they were flowing, and toward what was formerly the higher ground. Genesis 7:19 Upon the land. - The land is to be understood of the portion of the earth’s surface known to man. This, with an unknown margin beyond it, was covered with the waters. But this is all that Scripture warrants us to assert. Concerning the distant parts of Europe, the continents of Africa, America, or Australia, we can say nothing. “All the high hills were covered.” Not a hill was above water within the horizon of the spectator or…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:22 Everything that . . . lived: See study note on 6:17.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“breath of life: Heb. breath of the spirit of life, Gen 2:7, Gen 6:17 Genesis 7:23”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification